Top 3 Tips Caring For Family Member With Alzheimer's Disease In The Summer

Now that summer is approaching, we have switched from spring like conditions to very hot conditions. As the weather changes so must we as caregivers. Summertime in most places brings extreme conditions and those of us who care for someone who has Alzheimer's or disabled must be more aware of things.

My father had Alzheimer's for over 15 years and the past few years I was his at-home care provider. He lost all mobility and verbal communication several years ago so I mainly have to think for him.I make sure my thinking changes as conditions change.

I will share with you 3 things that I was more aware of in the summer time than most seasons.These 3 suggestion may seem so simple, but you would surprised how many people don't practice it. Now when I speak of these suggestions, I'm mainly speaking to those who are caring for those who are not able to verbally communicate and have no mobility, but can apply to others as well..

1.Plenty Of Water.  Even though this is believe to be a no brainer, so many disable people suffer from dehydration. Not because they are being purposely neglected or anything, but caregivers tend to give the same amount of water in the summer time as they do in other season.Because of the sweating that takes place in the summer, more fluids will be needed.

2.Try To Keep Their Room The Same Temperature. It's so easy to always turn the thermostat up and down as we try to keep ourselves comfortable. The problem I started running into was I was always adjusting it to fit my need. Because I was always moving about, I would get warm quickly so to the thermostat I would go. When I cool down back to the thermostat I went.Now my dad had Alzheimer's and was confined to the bed and I wasn't aware that I was changing the temperature on him also.He would stay with a cold and even though I was treating it and went away, I wasn't aware that it was me that was causing the problem.

3. Keep The Room They Sleep In Sanitized. This is very important as temperature soars in the 100 degree mark. Germs really spread in these condition more than any other season, so keep their room mopped every other day and wipe down at least twice a week. This room is where they are getting bathe and changed in, so germs are easier to spread in hot conditions.

These are my 3 tips for caring for disabled family members in the summer.

Different Forms Of Dementia

Being a caregiver for many years, I believe not only is it important for caregivers to be the best caregiver possible, but also to learn as much about the condition as they can.

So, What is Dimentia? Dimentia is an umbrella term for different symptoms related to a decline in our thinking ability. Some of the common symptoms include a steady loss of memory, having difficult in learning, being disoriented, and a gradual decline in the ability to perform basic routine tasks.

Changes in a persons personality and behavior, will be something that will take place as the condition worsen.As of now there is no cure for this condition, but there are several approved medications that will help slow down the progression.Check with your doctor which will be best for your situation.

Most people when they start having a decline in their memory they assume they have Alzheimer's, but that is not necessarily true.Even though Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, there are many other forms of dementia such as Vascular Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.Each of these disorders involves processes that destroy brain cells so there features are similar.

Now there are some treatable conditions such as depression, thyroid problem, and drug interaction that can cause dementia. With early intervention these forms of dementia can be effectively treated and possibly reversed.

Understanding the different forms of dementia as a caregiver can give you better information when consulting your doctor about what is happening. Now it's a fact that doctors can't determine if a person truly has Alzheimer's until the patient pass away and performs an autopsy.But with the research they have and with proper test, they can make a better judgement call based on the condition.

If you feel that a family member or friend is suffering memory loss more than usual, get them to a doctor to determine what is the cause. If found in the early stages, you can better prepare for not only their future, but yours as well.

For more info please subscribe to this blog or visit my website below at:
http://caregiversremainingconnected.com

3 Effective Techniques Of Communicating With Dementia Patients

Families and caregivers can maintain a quality of life when caring for a family member with dimentia at home for years after the person has been diagnosed. Having a plan with family before taking on this responsibility could reduce stress levels and not put so much burden on just one person.

Now, a person could live with Alzheimer's up to twenty years after diagnosis. The family dynamics will change drastically over the course of the disease, but there is always hope when family and friends make adjustments for the gradual and progressive decline in memory loss and ability.

As Alzheimer's progresses, communication can become very challenging.Having ongoing communication is important no matter how difficult it may become or how confused the person appears to be. Even though at times the person may not respond, they still benefit from direct communication.

My father had this disease for over 15 years and as time went by he loss all mobility as well as his communication skills. At first, this was a tough task. Trying to figure out when something was wrong because he could no longer express to me what was wrong, was stressful.It took me to really take a step back and examine my approach to the situation, because I found that I was still trying to communicate with him on the same level before Alzheimer's. Here are 3 techniques I tried and over time helped me.

1.Always be aware of the tone you use. As I stated earlier, communication can be very challenging, especially when you are not use to talking to someone that may or may not understand you.This is when you have to watch your tone. Frustration and stress will reach its peak, and before you are aware of it, you will be screaming at the top of your lungs to the person.What I learn was to speak direct and make short sentences, because them trying to decipher long sentences will not work.

2.Call the person by name often. It took me a while to really do this but found it to be effective.A person with dementia mostly have bad short term memory but things that happened earlier in their life they remember.Most times my dad didn't even recognize me, but I will still say daddy do this and daddy do that.Most times I didn't get a response. One day I started calling him by his name. Come to find out that's what he responded too.In a calm voice, I would say Robert, and when he acknowledge his name,I would say "time to take a bath" and most times he responded.

3.Pay attention to your body language. This is a crucial part of caregiving when it comes to communicating. Your facial expression and your stance could send negative messages. It gives them the impression you are being bossy and they will start treating you like the enemy. The last thing you need is for them to feel this way because if they feel threaten they will start acting out on it. Always use a positive and friendly expression even when you don't feel like it.

These are 3 things that I hope can help through your time as a caregiver. We never know when it might be us.Keep making adjustments until you figure out what works best for your situation. This has been my experience dealing with not only a dad but also my granddad.

For more info please subscribe to this blog or visit my website below
http://caregiversremainingconnected.com